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At least 14 people have been killed by a major earthquake in Vanuatu,
with the full extent of the damage still not clear.
At lunchtime on Tuesday, a 7.3 magnitude tremor rattled nearby Port
Vila for 30 seconds, causing destruction in the capital.
Katie Greenwood, the Red Cross' Pacific head, said the Vanuatu government had confirmed a death toll of 14 and hundreds of injuries.
Vanuatu Government is reporting 14 confirmed fatalities and 200 treated for injuries at main hospital
in Port Vila. Local humanitarian network activated and @vanuaturedcross leads
the Shelter response with Government and support from @ifrc
- Katie Greenwood (@KatiegIFRC) December 17, 2024
Footage and photos broadcast by local outlet VBTC and on social media lays bare the devastation in Port Vila.
A building housing the US, UK, French and New Zealand
diplomatic posts was among the worst hit, with the bottom floor of the US
embassy crushed by the above floors.
Remarkably, the US and other nations have reported all of their staff to be
safe.
Others have not been so lucky.
"Many victims in the country, flights suspended, communications cut, no water or electricity, we are organising relief," French ambassador
to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, Jean-Baptiste Jeangene Vilmer,
posted on social media.
Très fort tremblement de terre au Vanuatu, ambassade détruite (déchirée en 2, rez-de-chaussée
ambassade écrasée), personnel sain et sauf mais nombreuses victimes dans le
pays, vols suspendus, comm coupées, ni eau ni électricité, organisons secours .,
num urgence à venir pic.twitter.com/IZjr2VjVGu
- Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer (@jeangene_vilmer) December 17, 2024
In a VBTC broadcast, caretaker Prime Minister Charlot
Salwai issued a state of emergency for seven days, and instituted a curfew - except for essential services - from 6pm to 6am.
Telecommunications failures after the earthquake have made confirming the
scale of the harm and damage difficult.
Those that were able to communicate with the outside world were largely able to do so through Starlink, including journalist Dan McGarry.
"I know of one fatality according to police stationed at Port Vila Central Hospital, and I saw with my own eyes three others on gurneys ... I'm expecting the casualty figure to rise," he told AAP about three hours
after the earthquake.
Mr McGarry has documented landslips around the capital, including a major
blockage of a key road near the country's chief international port,
in addition to destruction of buildings.
Many photos on social media show collapsed buildings, one which has crumpled cars underneath.
"People died and many more were hurt. Some have lost their home, and many will find it hard to get back to work. Repairs will likely stretch for years, as they always do in the wake of disaster," Mr McGarry posted on X.
"But people are pulling together as only Vanuatu knows how. We will get through this. We always do."
More than 80 islands make up Vanuatu, and it is also unclear
how the 350,000-strong population is faring in towns
and settlements outside the capital.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the disaster a "dreadful tragedy," and with acting Pacific
Minister Matt Keogh, said Australia would be rushing to its
neighbour's aid.
"Australia stands with the people of Vanuatu ... we are family and we will always be there in times of need," the pair said in a statement.
"The Australian government is preparing to deploy immediate assistance ... including urban search and rescue and emergency medical teams.
"We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide further assistance to the people of Vanuatu
as the extent of damage becomes clear."
The Australian Government is preparing to deploy immediate assistance to Vanuatu from tomorrow, including urban search and rescue and emergency medical teams.
We're closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide further assistance to the people of Vanuatu.
- Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) December 17, 2024
Mr Jeangene Vilmer said France was working with Australia and New Zealand to co-ordinate the disaster response.
New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said a military surveillance plane would fly over Vanuatu on Wednesday to assess damage, with further support to follow when the airport opened.
The disaster has also occurred at a moment of political turmoil in the Melanesian country.
Mr Salwai dissolved parliament last month, setting the stage for a snap election on January 14, only for opposition MPs to mount a constitutional challenge to the move.
While a first case was dismissed by the Supreme Court last week, former prime minister Ishmael Kalsakau announced they are appealing that judgment - which was due to be heard before Christmas.
with reuters |
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